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Koa Butterfly

Koa Butterfly, Udara blackburni
Source: https://tinyurl.com/yc27unze Photo: Forest Starr and Kim Starr
CCL: https://tinyurl.com/22y23f9m

Koa Butterfly Facts

Source: https://tinyurl.com/y6759abu Photo: Forest and Kim Starr CCL: https://tinyurl.com/2c6wepxx

Koa Butterfly Physical Description

The stunning Koa Butterfly rarely fails to captivate those indivisuals fortunate enough to encounter this marvel of the natural world in the wild. It generally does so, however, due more to its great visual splendor than pure size. That’s because Nature packed all its beauty into a small package.

The invertebrate further distinguishes itself from its many relatives around the world in yet another manner. That’s in the fact that it displays no noticeable degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. Though certainly not unknown, it’s nonetheless slightly uncommon.

Individuals of both sexes of the species therefore present the same approximate outward appearance to the observer. This holds true for both physical dimensions and coloring. Regarding the former, an average wingspan for this gorgeous insect only measures about 1 in (2.5 cm).

But, while comparatively small in size, those delicate appendanges still present a truly stunning display. The upperside of both sets of wings displays an iridescent shade of blue. This coloring, though, tends to darken slightly around nearer the edges, and lighten further away from them.

The underside, however, shows a completely different hue. This portion of the wings of the invertebrate usually displays a magnificent shade of pale green. This coloring also has a breathtaking iridescent cast to it. All but the leading edges of the wings also have a covering of fine hairs.

The body of the amazing Koa Butterfly itself also catches the viewer’s eye with its pleasing color scheme. Relatively thick in structure, it boasts a dense covering of hair. This typically possesses a lighter shade of blue than the upper wings, yet still presents the amazing iridescent quality.

The insect’s also well-noted for other visually distinguishing features that only serve to add to its distinctiveness. Among these is the presence of comparatively large eyes. Its elongated antennae also show a whimsical alternating pattern of black and white stripes to the witness.

Source: https://tinyurl.com/4hxtvrnb Photo: Forest Starr and Kim Starr
CCL: https://tinyurl.com/22y23f9m

Koa Butterfly Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The small in stature yet still impressive Koa Butterfly evolved as native to a highly restricted portion of the surface of the earth. The exact location of that zone of habitation, though, might surprise many of you. That’s true since it’s only endemic to one location in the North Pacific Ocean.

More specifcally, the remarkable Arthropod developed as indigenous to what’s now the archipelago of the Hawaiian Islands, itself forming part of the United States. However, it appears to be absent from one of the eight major islands, Niʻihau, in addition to the minor islets and atolls.

This amazing product of Nature and evolution displays an extremely useful degree of flexibility regarding its choice of habitat. Due to this, the insect’s seen in both regions of both tropical and semi-tropical vegetation within its territorial range. This obviously aids in its survivability.

Primarily, however, this prefered range consists of regions placed in the local upland areas where native forest remain. These may be either dry or wet in nature for its purposes. Its habitat range also includes areas with altitudes ranging from 197 – 6,201 ft above sea level (60 – 1,890 m).

Evolution also provided the charming Koa Butterfly with highly versatile appetites. Its larvae do feed voraciously, primarily on the Acacia koa, thus the name, but remains enough of a generalist to also feed on other plant species. This includes both native and non-native species of flora alike.

Mature adults, meanwhile, follow much the same pattern of feeding behavior, at least in which plants they seek out for their dietary needs. These examples, however, only eat the sweet nectar of the many various flora they target, using the long, curled proboscis Nature provided them.

Species Sharing Its Range

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